http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/01/21/earlyshow/contributors/emilysenay/main668294.shtml

Thyroid Woes: Often Overlooked

NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2005

Thyroid Link To Health Issues

(Photo: CBS/The Early Show)
Dr. Emily Senay (Photo: CBS/The Early Show)

(CBS) An underactive thyroid gland causes symptoms that are frequently attributed to other ailments, leaving the thyroid condition undiagnosed and untreated, according to The Early Show medical correspondent Dr. Emily Senay.

She explains that the thyroid sits in the front of the throat -- a butterfly-shaped gland just below the Adam's apple. It secretes hormones that regulate growth and the way the body uses energy.

Underactive thyroids don't produce enough hormones, which can result in problems for both the mind and body.

Symptoms could include memory lapses, depression, fatigue, feeling chilled or increased sensitivity to cold, weight gain or trouble losing weight, a hoarse voice, high cholesterol, thinning hair, dry skin and puffy eyes.

Since many of these symptoms also can come with age, thyroid problems often go unnoticed, even as the symptoms are being treated, Senay points out.

The thyroid can fail to produce enough hormones for a number of reasons, including hormone fluctuations due to pregnancy or menopause, infections, and some medications. Some people are born with an underactive thyroid.

The most common thyroid disease is an immune system disorder: The body destroys its own thyroid cells and the lack of the hormones causes a body-wide slowdown.

But a blood test can diagnose hypothyroidism. Treatment usually involves a daily dose of thyroid hormones to replace what the gland fails to make on its own.

Who should get screened for thyroid woes? Senay says you should talk to your doctor about getting screened if you have symptoms associated with thyroid problems, a family history of such problems, or other risk factors.

For the general population, the American Thyroid Association says men and women older than 35 should be screened every five years.

Senay adds that, if the thyroid is just slightly underactive (a condition known as mild hypothyroidism), there may be some symptoms or none at all. Some experts say nearly half of those with mild hypothyroidism will develop the full-blown thyroid disease in 5 to 7 years.

But there is still debate about whether these people should be treated before they develop problems.

©MMV, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/01/21/earlyshow/contributors/emilysenay/main668294.shtml




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